ACT V: OUT OF FOCUS
"Hutt then formed a focus group of male and female employees to address diversity and sensitivity training. He asked Fisher to be part of the group. Fisher initially objected to the assignment, indicating that she would be retaliated against by her male supervisors. Hutt assured the plaintiff that she would not be."
--From an order by Judge Babcock
"Subject: Summary of Focus Group Meeting. Needs Identified: To understand the origin of a group of women going to lunch together and men's reaction to it..."
--Memo from Steve Hutt to all audit unit staff
"Subject: Summary of Focus Group Meeting. The second meeting of the focus group was held yesterday...The suggestion was made that the focus group itself is too exclusive and should be abandoned in favor of a more open-ended group."
--Memo from Steve Hutt to all audit unit staff
"Subject: Summary of Third Focus Group Meeting. As discussed last time, the group feels a seminar on improving working relationships and team building would benefit the entire audit unit..."
--Memo from Steve Hutt to all audit unit staff
"As a result of the three focus group meetings, two separate two-day seminars were conducted by professional trainers to address the specific concerns of the focus group: diversity and team building. The plaintiff was selected to choose a facilitator for the training. Plaintiff was later critical of the facilitator whom she had recommended, calling the facilitator a "sexist pig."
--From the city's Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
"Fisher was chosen to select a facilitator, however, none of the individuals she wanted were available. According to Fisher, the individual who conducted the first seminar, Doug Sullivan, did not address the concerns raised by the focus group and, in fact, acted in a sexist manner. Fisher discussed Sullivan's performance with him and called him a "sexist pig."
--From an order by Judge Babcock
*
Darlene Ebert, assistant city attorney, says the city sees about three cases "like this" every year.
ACT VI: THE POPE AND ORAL MUSCLE RELAXANTS
"I understand a lot of things were said up there. And people were saying, you know, 'That person has no right to say this. She shouldn't have said that,' and blah, blah, blah. And what happened was, the focus groups, in my opinion, created a worse, more hostile environment."
--From the deposition of Jerry Arellano
"The focus groups were the motivating factor in the supervisors' decision to retaliate against Plaintiff."
--From plaintiff Fisher's response to the city's summary judgment motion
"Fisher asserts that because of her vocal participation in the focus group, she lost the support of management. In support of this contention, Fisher offers evidence that she was denied the opportunity to conduct training audits, was the subject of discussion and eventually the target of a letter sent to the State Board of Accountancy [questioning the validity of] her CPA certification, and was generally treated differently than the other senior auditors."
--From an order by Judge Babcock
"I, Christine Anderson, being of sound mind, legal age, and duly sworn, depose and state that:...I sent the anonymous letter dated February 24, 1994, to the State Board of Accountancy regarding Laura Fisher...I was promoted soon after on March 16, 1994."
--From the affidavit of Christine Anderson, auditor support staff
"I believe that Laura Fisher is a very competent auditor and that she performed well in her duties while she was at the Treasury."
--From the affidavit of Christine Anderson
"I said Pat, you're a bitch, a goddamn bitch."
--From the deposition of Laura R. Fisher, describing a remark to Patricia LeClaire that the city had cited in an attempt to fire Fisher.
"Notice of Contemplated Disciplinary Action: This notice is to advise you that disciplinary action is being contemplated for violation of the following Career Service Authority Rules:
16-22 Causes for Immediate Dismissal
16-22 (5) Conduct while on duty which violates the common decency and morality of the community..."
--Memo from Scott Sprague to Laura Fisher
"God and Steve will destroy you for the trouble and problems you caused us you incompetent Dyke--get an oral muscle relaxant."
--From an anonymous note written on Treasury scrap paper, mailed to Laura Fisher the day after she quit.
"Pope Warns Against Radical Feminism."
--From a newspaper clipping attached to the anonymous "Dyke" note.
Steve Hutt, Dean Peressini and Jerry Arellano refuse to comment on the case. John Cherrey and Don Korte did not return phone calls. Mayor Webb and George Cerrone also decline comment. Attempts to reach diversity facilitator Doug Sullivan for comment were unsuccessful.
The treasurer's office will not comment on whether any of the men or women involved in the Fisher dispute will face further discipline.
Laura Fisher received her $80,000 check last month. She is now employed by the City of Boulder as an auditor.
SLAM has since disbanded.
